MINNEAPOLIS -- According to the latest D3Hoops.com rankings, three of the top seven teams in the nation will be in Williamstown this weekend to battle for the 2011 NESCAC Men's Basketball Championship.

Host Williams, just took over the top spot in the poll due to a Whitworth last week, will enter the tournament at 24-1 on the year. The Ephs lone loss came at Amherst on January 8th, 92-89 in OT.

Third ranked Middlebury is sporting a 23-1 record this season and the Panthers' lone loss of the year came in Williamstown to the Ephs, 69-64.

Amherst is ranked seventh and the Lord Jeffs sport a season ledger of 22-2, having won their first 21 games on the year, but losing 69-61 at Middlebury and 74-70 at Williams to close out the regular season.

The combined records of the three ranked NESCAC teams is a whopping 69-4.

The fourth team the semifinals to contest for the title this weekend is a rapidly improving Trinity team, which is 14-11, but has won four of its last six. Trinity defeated Tufts last weekend by 23 to advance to the semifinals.

Saturday's pairings will find Williams taking on Trinity at 2:00 p.m. in Chandler Gym followed at 4:00 p.m. by the Middlebury vs. Amherst clash.

Saturday's winners will meet at noon on Sunday in Chandler Gym in the NESCAC championship game.

This isthe first time since the 2003-04 season that Williams has been number one in the D3Hoops.com poll. The Ephs received 18 first place votes in taking over the top spot in this weeks poll. Six New England teams are ranked this week.